Sculpture by the Sea - Funding helps to perpetuate

Liberals attempt to embarrass Labor by backing Sydney's much loved Sculpture by the Sea

Streetcorner brings you "Direct From" updates from a politician's office so you can make up your own mind about your elected representatives achievements and policies. The statements below are from the office of NSW Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell.

"A NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will ensure the continuation and growth of the iconic Sculpture by the Sea event by committing a $300,000 a year for four years in funding, NSW Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell and Shadow Minister for the Arts Anthony Roberts announced today. Mr O'Farrell made the announcement at the Allens Arthur Robinson 'People's Choice' and NAB Kids' Choice award ceremony on the final day of the 2010 Sculpture by the Sea event.

"It's estimated Sculpture by the Sea injects around $60 million into the NSW economy, attracts around 400,000 visitors each year, including nearly 20,000 who travel from interstate and overseas specifically to see it and that's without any marketing outside of Sydney," Mr O'Farrell said.

"Imagine how much more successful Sculpture by the Sea could be with an injection of funds and some serious government support," he said.
"Sculpture by the Sea has become an iconic event on the Sydney cultural calendar and it's one I'm determined to retain, grow and enhance.
"This funding will ensure the event remains where it belongs, along the picturesque Sydney coastline.

"It will also enable Sculpture by the Sea to grow and become an even better event, pumping even more investment into the NSW economy.

"The NSW Liberals & Nationals understand the importance of supporting major cultural and sporting events to drive jobs, investment and tourism dollars in the state's economy," he said.

Mr O'Farrell explained the Sculpture by the Sea organisers are regularly approached to move the exhibition interstate or overseas.
"I understand in the last ten months alone, the organisers have been approached by Melbourne, Broome, Cairns, Cape Town, Singapore and Abu Dhabi," Mr O'Farrell said.
"We aren't prepared to sit idly by and let another State pick up this iconic event. It belongs in Sydney," Mr O'Farrell said.

Mr Roberts said Sculpture by the Sea provides a unique opportunity for Australian and international artists to show off their work to a broader audience.
"We want to support the artists and educate young people and the broader community about the importance of a diverse cultural experience and what better way than to grow and enhance Sculpture by the Sea," Mr Roberts said.

"This announcement will help us further engage the community and expose people to art who might not visit a gallery or indoor exhibition," he said. Liberal Candidates of Coogee and Vaucluse Bruce Notley-Smith and Gabrielle Upton were thrilled at the announcement because of the benefits Sculpture by the Sea brings to local businesses.

"The exhibition is loved by locals who feel proud to call it their own," they said.

Founding Director of Sculpture by the Sea David Handley said he was thrilled with the commitment.

"We are delighted at the enthusiasm from the NSW Liberals & Nationals for Sculpture by the Sea and their recognising the cultural, social and economic benefits of the exhibition to the state," Mr Handley said.

"We hope that this augurs well for working with whoever wins office in March next year as the people of NSW have already voted for Sculpture by the Sea with as many people coming from the Western Suburbs and Regional NSW as the Eastern Suburbs."